Wangadya Runs to COSASE After Arrest Warrant

What the report says

Uganda Human Rights Commission chairperson Justice Mariam Wangadya appeared before Parliament’s Committee on Commissions, Statutory Authorities and State Enterprises (COSASE) on Tuesday, one day after lawmakers issued a warrant for her arrest over failing to honour earlier summons. According to Nile Post, Wangadya was accompanied by other UHRC commissioners as the committee, chaired by Muwada Nkunyingi, continued its review of issues raised in the Auditor General’s report for the 2024/2025 financial year.

At the start of her submission, Wangadya asked MPs to withdraw the warrant and apologised for missing a previous hearing. She also withdrew an earlier letter in which she had said she would only appear before the Committee on Human Rights and not COSASE. She told the committee that, as accounting officer, she now accepted that she is answerable to MPs on public expenditure and audit matters.

The hearing focuses on UHRC financial management, procurement and use of public funds. Committee members said these questions fall within Wangadya’s duties as head of the commission, while Nkunyingi said Parliament must enforce its oversight role. After her appearance and apology, the committee agreed to continue the hearing and pause further enforcement of the arrest warrant. The exchange highlights an ongoing dispute over parliamentary scrutiny of constitutional bodies and the accountability of public institutions for state spending.